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International Criminal Court sentences Congolese warlord to 14 years for using child soldiers
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of Washington Post/Associated Press
Posted: July 17th, 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/international-cri...
The International Criminal Court condemned a Congolese warlord to 14 years in prison on [July 10], the first time the 10-year-old tribunal has sentenced a convicted war criminal and a potential landmark in the struggle to protect children caught up in violent conflicts. Judges found Thomas Lubanga guilty in March of recruiting and using children in his Union of Congolese Patriots militia sending them to kill and be killed during fighting in Congos eastern Ituri region in 2002-2003. Human rights activists hailed the decision. This sentence sends out a stark warning across the world to those engaged in the use of child soldiers that their criminal actions will land them in prison, said Armel Luhiriri of the Coalition for the ICC, a non-government group that supports the court and its efforts to end impunity for the worlds worst crimes. Prosecutors are considering whether to appeal the sentence as too low. Franck Mulenda, a legal representative for 140 victims in the case, welcomed the sentence. It is very important. It consoles the victims, he said outside court. The court should now order reparations for former child soldiers, so they can get back their education and their place in society, Mulenda said. Rights activists say Lubangas militia and other warring parties in Ituri engaged in widespread rape.
Note: For reports from reliable major media sources on war crimes, click here.
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